It Contains all those Bays, Islands and Harbours, Comprehended between Seconett Point and the Nara Gansett Store Extending Northward to the Entries of the Providence, Swanzey & Taunten Rivers ー

A 20 Gun Ship or larger may pass safely between every Island in the Bay and between the Islands & the Main Land in general ー

There are several fine Harbours on the main, but none more Commodious than Gut Harbour near Howlands Ferry. this Harbour Admits 20 Feet Water low tide, its Extreme not more than 40 or 50 Yards Across and is Intirely secured from the Annoyance of any Ships that passes the Bay, and there is no Harbours on the Main where the Enemy would Dare to Risque their Shipping for any time. There are no Harbours in the Islands of any Consequence. (New Port Excepted) this is very Commodious but may be secured by Fortifying Town Point, Goat Island & the point Opposite. the Town of Newport is Commanded by a large Hill lying to the Eastward of it. Dudleys' House is the place where the Colony Troops are mostly Stationed but is Commanded by Tomina Hill, the Colony Committee laid out a large Four Sided Fortification with proper Bastions, but Genl [Charles] Lee thought proper only to order the Quarters of the Soldiers secured for the present against small Arms, as this is by no means a place for Erecting any works of Consequence Either for Defending the Islands or Annoying the ships in the Harbour; they have Two 18 & Two 9 Pounders at this place, mounted on Travelling Carriages; At Howlands Ferry they have a bad Constructed half finished Battery of 6 Guns on Each side the Ferry the Channel here is narrow and very Easily commanded, w[ere] there proper works Erected and well defended. Bristol Ferry may also be Commanded by proper works but with more Difficulty ー

Rhode, Conanicut & Prudence are the Principal Islands in this Bay, these Islands are very rich and will produce more Fruit and Afford more Forridge than any lands of the same Extent perhaps in America, the Chief Produce of this Country is, Corn, Oats Barley and large Crops of Grass. No Country Raises more Cattle & Sheep, nor of a larger Breed ー